Gloria Manning Peterson

PETERSON, Gloria Manning Gloria Manning Peterson, 76, a resident of Sonoma since 1931, died on Saturday, June 1, 2002, at Sonoma Valley Hospital, following a lengthy illness. A native of Oakland, Gloria came to Sonoma as a six-year-old child with her mother, the late Ada Manning and her father, the late Les Manning, who was an Oakland police officer. Mrs. Manning was for many years office manager for the late Dr. C. B. Andrews of Sonoma, and she was among founders of the Sonoma Valley Hospital Auxiliary. Gloria attended Sonoma schools and was a graduate with the Sonoma Valley Union High School class of 1943. She was very active in high school activities and excelled in athletics. She attended San Francisco State College for two years, preparatory to graduating as a registered nurse from Merritt Hospital in Oakland, and later worked for Dr. Andrews in Sonoma for a brief period. She and her husband, Richard Peterson, met on a blind date in Sonoma in 1946 and were married here in 1948. During their 54 years of marriage they were blessed with three children and three grandchildren. Gloria was vice president and a supporting partner of Peterson Mechanical, Inc., a small, Sonoma based plumbing, heating and sheet metal firm which grew into one of the North Bay’s most prominent contractors in its field. She was active in youth organizations in Sonoma while her children were growing up and was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. She was also an avid sports fan and booster for the Oakland A’s baseball team, enjoyed snow skiing with her family from their cabin at Donner Lake, fishing while at their Little Grass Valley Lake cabin, and golfing with her husband and friends at their second home at Lake Wildwood, near Grass Valley. She loved to travel, and with her husband visited many places around the world - her favorite being the Hawaiian Islands. Gloria was the loving wife of Richard Peterson, and adored mother of Les, Nedra and Kris Peterson and mother-in-law of Peggy Peterson, all of Sonoma. Three grandchildren also survive her - Karly Ann Peterson of San Francisco, Scott Peterson of Incline Village and Zachary Brandner of Reno, Nevada. A private family inurnment service will take place at Trinity Church Memorial Garden, Sonoma, with the Rev. Canon Stephen Brannon officiating. Arrangements by Mission Cremation Service under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Those wishing to do so may send memorial donations to Trinity Episcopal Church, 275 East Spain St., Sonoma, CA 95476 or Vintage House, 264 First St. East, Sonoma, CA 95476, or the charity of the donor’s choice.